Is It Too Many Guns

[300_whisper]

Either everything is funny or nothing is funny. The world is a messed up place and we all have to deal with it, unfortunately.

 

[DangerRanger]

yeah y’all have some manners already

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Schools(teachers union) supporting anti family, anti country, anti law enforcement narratives. Mix in "explaining" to a child under 8 he/she may not be he/she, but dog/cat/bird? Combine violent "games" and drugs both prescribed or street, why would we ever have violence directed at the source of the instability.

 

[davidjoe]

A group of 'problem solvers' needs to be formed for discussion of what is 'possible'. Not politicians looking for votes or campaign funds. Because they were elected to office doesn't make them an 'expert' on anything, regardless of committee assignment or what ever. Problem solving is "getting to yes", not insulting or demeaning the person across the table. Lots of variables, laws, rules, customs and attitudes need airing. The goal must be 'the possibilities'. The "ya, but" and "what if's" need to be discussed.
We have people that are well educated in the hunting/ shooting activities, writers, authors, lawyers and some professors that should have good problem solving ability. A really capable facilitator is a must. After this group has something for the law makers, the Congress or the states can do their job. This is not something that can be solved over night, it should take some time to solve properly, BUT, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING. We have an opportunity "to make this a more perfect union".

A number of years back, Texas made it a requirement that everyone born after September, 1971, if I recall, was required to take a Hunter’s Education Course and carry that certificate card with their hunting license.

Having been born in December of 1971 and well into to my 30’s, and especially living rurally, where I’m close to a firearm at all times and have hunted without incident, I was honestly a little annoyed at the breadth of the requirement, but I complied. My son got his then as there was no minimum age to take the class, or maybe he met it, but he was plenty able although in primary school.

This was a sit down class with ample eyeball to eyeball time with an instructor, a DPS state trooper, in this case. As a Texas CHL holder, I had to do much of the same thing in order to be licensed and cleared by regional or state DPS, who was entitled to call my relatives, and talk to them about me, and so forth. Both of these steps involved proof of at least a little practical competency, outdoors, as well. Obviously, as a licensed driver, that too was DPS face to face time. I didn’t balk at all at state LE oversight in order to carry a concealed weapon.

So let’s talk about AR’s. I honestly don’t know anybody whose first gun ever shot, or gun purchase, was an AR, though I’m sure it has happened, and without incident. But if a person doesn’t have a sufficient history of responsible gun use, and ownership, to excuse them, I wouldn’t have a problem with requiring them to go sit for a class with DPS. The class would help the sincere new buyer but be utterly distasteful to a miscreant that abhors police or authority. Imagine if just two or three flat wouldn’t do it. As I said, I’ve subjected myself to DPS scrutiny in order to exercise less potentially problematic rights, and just about all of us have. The Officer would dismiss a new buyer, to wait and start over, or certify there was no reason observed to withhold transfer. States decide for themselves, and when someone’s name is on the line, they tend to care before signing off.

I own high cap and drum mags. I own 22-50 pound single shot rifles and everything between those two extremes. I know very well of what I have, which is for when SHF, which reaches out, and which is a weekend recreational hobby, that is barely even a weapon by comparison, we all do. I did not show up uninformed, wet behind the ears and uneasy looking about life, just to leverage to the hilt a purchase or series of purchases, for the most SHF combination possible, that I had no realistic, apparent means to ever repay. One of the ways that a dealer in a doubtful situation might get some reassurance with a “new buyer” that could be merely a prepared person, or possibly next week’s most vile sob, is the possession of an inexperienced buyers certification, passed on by state DPS.

There was a time when hunter education was not needed, either. I still think it might not be. But the idea that some older more mature hunters were excused, was reasonable, and I follow the thinking; hunting accidents happened, and bottom line is bending is better than breaking, - if the alternative is either some inconvenience, with added benefit that the screening/training might deter some of these horrible killings, or a broad stroke punishment borne by all the responsible people, I know which one I’d pick.

 

[biggun2869]

I don't even want to debate it. I was probably in the neighborhood of 8 years old when I was first introduced to guns (22) as I had my first at my 10th birthday (and I still have it, an Ithaca single shot .22 Lever action). I was born in the mid '50s, was raised on a Dairy farm (a lot of HARD work) I really can't remember ever being aggressive with my people. And in todays world I suppose a lawyer could find a way as my grandma and my Dad both blistered my ass. But I would never in my wildest dreams thought of what these guys did.

 

[JB10]

Bring back real parents that kick the holy shit out of their kid when mistakes are made! Bring back parents that teach their kids right from wrong! I call bullshit on violent video games, just an excuse. And get rid of social media completely!
I personally think everyone should grow up rural, ranch and farm, learn to work your ass off and respect others and there is way more to it than that. I guess let’s abolish big cities and worthless ass people. Seems like most of the time that’s where this all comes from.

Society has made it almost impossible to discipline your own kids with out getting into trouble. Kids need to respect their parents in a mother and father environment. Growing up my dad was a little rough on me i felt at the time. I understand it now and i have made something of myself. If i told him i was bored (that was a mistake) he had me pulling weeds on our 5 acres. Or mowing the grass, feeding the cows, taking care of the chickens. If all that was done than twiddle my thumbs. I will not have any part of social media other than this form. My kids know right from wrong and i wish more parents did the same.

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

Achievement and excellence is unfair and frowned upon being viewed as cheating or privileged. Race/statistically based assessments instead of ability and professionalism are used to promote positions of authority. Identity confusion is professed to be wise. Society as a whole has gone to whatever was GOOD is now BAD. I could go on and on...........

Then we wonder why this stuff is happening? Did any of this exist 50 or more years ago? It was laughed at for being a stupid joke......now it's law.

Want what we USED TO HAVE? DO WHAT WORKED BACK THEN..... on an individual basis and a corporate basis. This "new enlightened way" is full of darkness in one way or another.

Good trees produce good fruit......bad trees produce bad fruit. This is both Biblical and common sense.

 

[jdh47]

Our Nation's problem isn't with firearms. It's with a deteriorating culture. When I went to High School we all had firearms in our cars and trucks back then. We hunted before and after school during season.
The constant erosion of our values has left our Nation in a precarious place. Single parent households were few back then now they are prevalent. Our movies and TV shows didn't show much blood and certainly no gore but today those shows are laughed at. Plots for TV westerns back then had a plot with some socially redeeming value. Today it's just a plot that justifies mayhem on screen. mat Dillon probably got shot 500 times over those twenty years and hit over the head and knocked out another 500. We never wondered why. He always recovered to get the bad guy. In 1959 the Lawman had a episode "The Press" in which a released prisoner puts in a newspaper and is almost successful in ruining Troup, the Sherriff. We're living that out today.
Cultural Marxism is creeping it's way into our education system and our religious institutions our media and our government. Mental illness is now mainstream. We must refrain from blaming inanimate objects for our illness because it won't stop. Elect good representatives that will get us back to following the constitution. kick the pretenders out of power and read the Bible. At least live by the ten Commandments and there would be no more mayhem.

 

[Evan]

Just going to leave these here for those interested in why the broad and relatively uncontrolled use of antidepressants by general practitioners is problematic:

The risk of switch to mania in patients with bipolar disorder during treatment with an antidepressant alone and in combination with a mood stabilizer - PubMed

In this national registry study, antidepressant monotherapy was associated with an increased risk of mania. However, no risk of mania was seen in patients receiving an antidepressant while treated with a mood stabilizer. The results highlight the importance of avoiding antidepressant monotherapy...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Incidence, prevalence and clinical correlates of antidepressant-emergent mania in bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed

Rates of TEM vary primarily depending on study setting, which is concordant with the high degree of heterogeneity of the included records. Forthcoming RCT studies should adopt consistent operational definitions of TEM and broaden the number of moderators, in order to contribute most effectively...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

GPs have no business treating the symptoms of psychological disorders. It is practicing outside of their scope. If your doctor is prescribing antidepressants, you should pause and consult with a psychiatrist.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you made every HS grad go thru bootcamp the summer they graduate, in a bootcamp without gender studies, cry closets, and real DIs we wouldnt have 1/4 of the problems we have. March at bootcamp grad then pick- AIT or hit the streets.

 

[wkdickinson]

Let me start by saying that I have started this post 4 times and couldn't find the words. I am 68 years old, so I have lived through the "baby-boomer" generation, having been one and watched all of the successive generations. Being and "old-guy", I can can tell you, that every new generation is looked at as "the demises of society" - but we always seem to survive. But, I don't think that is what we are looking at here.

Yes, I think for whatever reason there are a lot of the current generation who seem disenfranchises, but I am not sure that that is real, or just imagined. Having been in the business world most of my life I've seen young people go from wanting an opportunity to expecting an entry-level job that allows them to buy a new BMW.

Those issues are the fault of mostly parents, but also the educational system (HS & post).

I personally don't think that any of that has anything to do with these "mass-shooting' situations. The biggest thing I find so disturbing is that after the fact, we find out there were warning signs all over the place that these kids (or adults) were on the edge. Yet. why don't we have a way to interdict this kind of behavior before it becomes acute???

The availability of guns has nothing to do with what we are seeing - we have a serious mental health situation with some people in our society! Sometimes those people are young, but often not so much. Just look at the homicide rates in big cities like Chicago. Yes, many of the 800 homicides (2021) in Chicago last year we either drug or gang related, but many were just random.

Our society is a mess! And yes, much of it can be laid at the feet of parents and the schools, but there is still the understanding of "right and wrong". When I was a kid "cowboy' movies were the thing - lots of shooting and killing. But some how we knew the difference between, "the movies" and reality. I think most of the kids today do too, but not all.

Have you notice that almost universally, after a tragedy like in TX this week, we always hear how the perpetrator had exhibited signs of very antisocial behavior for weeks or months beforehand? But no one stepped in to intervene. Why? I know hindsight is 20/20, but OMG can't we be proactive? I understand that people often do thing that are antisocial and never act out. But when you have an individual that posts on social media that he/she intend to "kill a bunch of school kids", shouldn't we as a society look into that - privacy be damned? I don't want a 1984 society, but there has to be somewhere in between and limiting the purchase of guns is not it.

 

[Rube Shooter]

Today everything is acceptable. Nothing is taboo. Except for one thing. Calling BS on BS. That’ll get you fired, labeled crazy, dangerous and you’ll be destroyed. This is what progress looks like to progressives. But you can’t talk about it much, even on here, and I understand that, but that’s how you know it’s a lost cause. Normal good people see it but can’t really say much. Win for the other side, that get to be as loud and in your face as they want. This isn’t confusing to me. Sad, yes, confusing, nope.

Spot on JD. It makes me mad that many of the crowd that screamed question everything in the 60's are running this country, telling us to sit down and be quiet. Yes it's sad when an honest opinion countering the mainstream lies backed up with facts is more despised than pedaling dope to children and parents questioning their local school boards being labeled terrorists it's obvious they are winning.
We can keep exposing them for what they are, praying and talking with family and friends hoping that somewhere someone else outside our immediate sphere of influence will get the message and help spread the truth.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The ACLU has spent a lot of court time and money neutering the mental health system in this country.

 

[hpasquet]

I find this to be unbelievable to the point I do not think it is a fact. Just because something was published means nothing.
80%?? No way I'm buying that for a second.
I can only speak from personnel experience. Having fought in Vietnam I never ran across a single soldier who did not fire at the enemy. Not ONE! And I am not talking about being fired on first either.
Who is the author and what was his real objective. Did he serve? In a combat unit?
I find this statement to be extremely offensive.
Actually I have to STOP right this second.

I was in Vietnam also,(28 months). I was a USAF pilot. We were told the same thing. The WW2 soldiers shot round targets but could not shoot people. The shrinks corrected that by training us to kill human silhouettes. It worked. The percentage that could put the sights on a man and shoot went up to over 95%.
Apply that to the video games kids play now when they practice killing people.

 

[Eddie h]

No!

 

[Oso]

The group of people taking the drugs are not mentally healthy. It’s the reason they are taking them.

Agree - commonly recognized as "Self-Medicating". A fair portion of our population is suffering from some form of chronic mental health. Our government healthcare program has not focused adequate resources to this group for decades, and instead has moved down the path of using the criminal justice system... this may be slowly changing. These unfortunate individuals are forced to find the cheapest and easiest form of "over-the-counter" medication. In many instances drug addiction or alcoholism is a symptom and not the underlying cause of their problem

On a separate note - For most children (12yo and older) the rapid changes associated with Puberty can be extremely traumatic. Depending upon family environment, support network, and personal identity, the mental and emotional roller coaster can be overwhelming. The rapid changes of hormones and brain development can amplify or trigger mental illness… Puberty is a catalyst. This is why there is a significant increase in jump in occurrences of mental health issues and personality disorders occurring in teenagers. Without proper supervision and support (may require counseling and medication), young adult who are experiencing issues are left swimming against the current and are more likely to do harm to themselves and others. Experience with my own children and their friends has taught me to be alert, vigilante, compassionate, and Pro-active.

Social Media has changed how these teenagers act out… solitary suicide is no longer the only option. The promise of fame from outrageous behavior has encouraged and emblazoned attention-seekers to do extreme acts in order to gain notoriety. Columbine Shooting helped set the mold… unknown students became heroes to all the other students who felt belittled, harassed and tormented by their peers, parents and authority figures. Social Media encourages and empowers the worst behaviors - for every 1 positive voice there are a dozen negative voices.

Growing up is much harder today then when we were children.

Sorry for sidetracking - something that I have been contemplating of late.

 

[TomN]

And don’t forget the group of parents with challenging children. High energy, no problem. Have them diagnosed as adhd and medicate them. For some this the start of real problems. Parents don’t learn parenting and the kids don’t don’t learn self discipline.

 

[GetReal]

If we wonder why kids are shooting up schools…
Well, we taught them…

1. With evolution, Life Comes from randomness chance and is ultimately meaningless. Death is the ultimate end, there is nothing after it.
2. Abortion is a constitutional right. There's ultimately nothing wrong with ending somebody else's life without their permission.
3. Survival of the fittest is how the world works.
4. Their lives aren't worth using guns to protect them from people with guns.
5. They can get instant worldwide fame, become imminently important and get all our attention if they shoot up a school.
6. They need to be true to themselves and follow their truth.
Why are kids shooting up schools? Because we taught them all the presuppositions necessary to justify that act.
But yeah…. let's blame the inanimate object for the problem.

 

[338 Mollett]

I'm fighting the good fight now helping to raise a 3 yr old .It's hard but the parents are nada . Trying to change things one child at a time !

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

And don’t forget the group of parents with challenging children. High energy, no problem. Have them diagnosed as adhd and medicate them. For some this the start of real problems. Parents don’t learn parenting and the kids don’t don’t learn self discipline.

I would have been considered ADHD when I was a child too...........but my dad magically cured me in short order.

Self impulse control works great when you know there's someone watching you that doesn't put up with that garbage in the slightest............self preservation is stronger than ADHD.